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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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DonnieInMT

GDTRFB

+15113


Submissions

1
Hard to Handle
July 1, 1970
Winnipeg Fairgrounds

The only recording available, it starts in the middle of the instrumental break.
5
Big River
Nov. 24, 1978
Capitol Theatre

Cool uptempo version with solid vocals.
15
Johnny B. Goode
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Hot one on Dick's Picks 5.
3
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 5, 1984
Charlotte Coliseum

A very strange opening - it sounds like Jerry doesn't want to play it.
1
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Sept. 2, 1968
Betty Nelson's Organic Raspberry Farm

Only part of the intro survives, but what's there sounds good.

Comments

Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Dec. 30, 1991
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

This has always been my favorite song that Phil did. What I like here is that he doesn't stretch out the last word in a line. When he does that, he can come off sounding like a moose, but here they are short and crisp.
Walking Blues
Sept. 12, 1991
Madison Square Garden

This one is kinda slow and spacey. It actually starts with a tuneup and when you're not expecting it, Bob hits the vocals. He sounds really good here, especially at the end of the song. But the real highlight is when Mister Hornsby takes the lead. He puts forth a sparkling solo and after a while, Jerry tries to step in, but Bruce cuts him off and says "I'm not done yet!" and he closes it out in beautiful style and fashion. This is just one of many gems from the Hornsby era. It's a shame more people don't listen to this stuff.
Walking Blues
July 2, 1995
Deer Creek Music Center

They're playing this really fast, as in "Let's get the hell outta here!" fashion.
When Push Comes to Shove
Dec. 28, 1988
Oakland Coliseum Arena

At times, Jerry's singing is passionate. On his second pass on the instrumental break, he puts in some cool guitar work.
Mama Tried
June 11, 1991
Charlotte Coliseum

Solid Bobby vocals and a double turn for Jerry in the instrumental break.